In a sharply worded statement, six-term former Riverside County District Attorney Grover Trask said Tuesday that current DA Paul Zellerbach has shown "a serious lack of legal and ethical perspective" regarding incidents in which he allegedly tampered with campaign signs of opponent Mike Hestrin.

Trask, who previously said he would support neither candidate in the 2014 contest for Riverside District Attorney, has thrown his support to Hestrin.

In a late afternoon response, Zellerbach emailed, "On April 23 I made mistakes, which I regret. But, it is unfortunate that Mr. Trask expresses an opinion without knowing all the facts and circumstances."

Zellerbach has denied intentionally pushing over a Hestrin sign planted at a T-intersection in Indio last month. He reimbursed the county for the use of a county-issued car during the alleged activity, now under investigation by Indio police.

"What District Attorney, anywhere in California, would even think of using a county car and possibly a staff member to carry out such improper and possibly illegal conduct?" Trask asked in his statement.

"Any law enforcement official, including the DA, must be held to high ethical and legal standards on small as well as large matters."

Trask is one of the county's most highly regarded attorneys and former elected officials, with a record of even-handedness in political matters.

Trask groomed Rod Pacheco to take over from him after he announced he would not run for re-election in 2006, and supported Pacheco as the incumbent in the 2010 race in which Zellerbach defeated him.

Zellerbach in his email,"It is not surprising now that Mr. Trask and Mr. Pacheco are now both supporting Mike Hestrin."

Pacheco declined to comment. There is no record of Pacheco stating support for Hestrin.

Pacheco " has not endorsed me, he has not given me a penny, he has not played a role in the campaign," ¬ Hestrin said Tuesday afternoon in a phone interview.

Trask also was involved in helping Zellerbach, his next-door neighbor, making the transition from his judgeship to the top prosecutor's role, and was prominent at Zellerbach's January 2011 swearing-in.

Trask said in a brief interview Monday that he now has a Hestrin sign on his front lawn.

"During the next four weeks, I would hope that we can concentrate on the substantial issues facing the DA‚Äôs Office," Zellerbach said in his statement, "dealing the problems arising from public safety realignment, balancing the DA‚Äôs budget under looming challenges and aggressive prosecution in sending dangerous and violent criminals to prison."

Zellerbach's full statement is below

Here is the text of Trask's ¬ statement:

"Recent improper, if not illegal, campaign activities by Paul Zellerbach have raised important ethical issues warranting serious consideration for voters and for me, the former Riverside County six term DA.

"The District Attorney is held to higher legal and ethical standards than the ordinary citizen for three reasons.¬ The District Attorney (1) wields the power of government and with the stroke of a pen can change lives forever, (2) he is the steward of tax dollars allocated to his office and (3) he holds the public trust for truth and justice as the Chief Law Enforcement Official in the County.

"Political operatives have been known to put up their own and tear down an opponent‚Äôs campaign signs but what District Attorney, anywhere in California, would even think of using, a county car and possibly a staff member to carry out such improper and potentially illegal conduct?¬ How would the public react if the Sheriff or state attorney general were caught on video tape committing such dubious acts?¬ Any law enforcement official, including the DA, must be held to high ethical and legal standards on small as well as large matters.

"Even in the heat of the DA‚Äôs race, cutting legal and ethical corners to win an election cannot in any way be justified.¬ The means by which one achieves victory in the DA‚Äôs race matters more than the goal, because it reflects the very essence of the Office, its integrity and fairness.

"For over two decades, the District Attorney‚Äôs Office has committed itself to practicing 8 Guiding Principles that can be found on its web-site.¬ The cornerstone of those principles has been the integrity of its staff including the DA.¬ Ethics are non-negotiable.

"Cutting a check for $203 for ‚Äúreimbursement‚ÄĚ for illegal political activity mileage on a county car, only after DA Zellerbach was caught on video at two different locations, shows he knew he did not have the legal authority.¬ His public comment that these incidents are ‚Äúsilly‚ÄĚ and ‚Äúmuch ado about nothing‚ÄĚ shows a serious lack of legal and ethical perspective about what is right and what is wrong.

"For these reasons I am now supporting Mike Hestrin."

Grover Trask

Here is the text of Zellerbach's statement:

"I respect Grover Trask‚Äôs six terms as Riverside County District Attorney.

"On April 23 I made mistakes, which I regret. But, it is unfortunate that Mr. Trask expresses an opinion without knowing all the facts and circumstances.

"Mr. Trask ¬ groomed and supported Rod Pacheco to take his place as District Attorney in 2006.¬ ¬ Mr. Pacheco‚Äôs four years as DA strained the legal system in this county and was an unquestionable disaster.

"Nonetheless, Mr. Trask continued to support and endorse Pacheco when I ran for DA in 2010. It is not surprising now that Mr. Trask and Mr. Pacheco are now both supporting Mike Hestrin.

"During the next four weeks, I would hope that we can concentrate on the substantial issues facing the DA‚Äôs¬ Office ‚Äď dealing the problems arising from public safety realignment, balancing the DA‚Äôs budget under looming challenges and aggressive prosecution in sending dangerous and violent criminals to prison."

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